Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-11-22
DR. Pentecost in Amesbury, Mass.

we believe much more will follow. He has
left the churches not worn out with their
service but alert as never before, conscious
of the greatness of the Masters work. and
DESTROYS of completer realization Of the
divine kingdom.
| The work at the first moved slowly. The
response of the churches was not prompt.
Considerable interest was manifest from the
beginning and general conviction of duty,
but there was little heartiness or spontaneiry
of service. Gradually. however, the con-
vietion became deeper and more personal,
and individuals began to give themselves TO
| the work. Witnesses were found for the
truth. and much quiet, personal service was
rendered. With this deepening of spiritual
| life in the Church. the Spirit began TO reach
one and another of those outside the fold,
until scores confessed Christ, and today live
in him. 1t was a hard struggle, but the
| kindom of God and his righteousness have
won victory. Nor do We rest satisfied.
| Questions put to pastors, Sunday school SUI
perintendents. teachers and other Christian
workers disclose an unwillingness TO stop
| here, and an eagerness To prove further the
graciousness of God. Already arrangements
| have been completed for the continuance of
| the work
A great deal can be said and ought to be
| said regarding DIR. Pentecosts conception and
presentation of Christian truth. None of his
hearers can doubt that he is listening to a
| teacher who has made for himself thorough
and conscientious study of the essential
| truths of Christianity, and that he has made
it for practical ends. Nor is it less certain
even to the most casual listener that DR.
IN, sb. rk,.,
primary source of his doctrine. The con-
nection between. his teaching and the Scrip
lures is unusually direct and evident. One
feels the simplicity and vigor of presentation
which comes of close acquaintance with those
original sources of saving truth. There is,
moreover, remarkable freedom from the
intrusion of personal equation in the I'M
folding of Scripture doctrine. His Christian
experience colors but does not discolor his
| conceptions of truth.
DIR. Pentecost's presentation of saving
truth is not only biblical but also very clear
1t would be difficult for me to fail of com
pretending either what is involved in accept
ing Christ, or by what step ii is accomplished.
The simple conditions of salvation are set
| forth as lucidly and persistently as in the
apostolic teaching. All the accretions of
unbiblical theologies are swept aside. Men
are brought face to face with the plain and
primitive message of the Gospel
His method of dealing with the awakened
does away with great deal of rubbish. In
stead of the cu1tomary request that those who
desire to become Christians should manifest
it by rising, DIR. Pentecost invariably re-
quests such response only from those who
then and there accept Christ. The outward
act announces the souls readiness TO take
bris ST nd To 10
of this method reveals the fallacy of the one
commonly employed The latter leaves the
impression upon the mind of the awakened
man that several successive steps are neces-
sary to the acceptance of Christ. He is mis-
lead by the prayer which follows that God
would save him. and awaits some inward
experience, some saving act manifest within, |
when the demand of the Gospel is that he |
himself should act, accepting the awaiting
Christ. The form of invitation adopted by
DIR. Pentecost, on the contrary, brings AT
once before the mind the one condition upon
which the question of salvation now hinges, 1t
recognizes that to ask whether one desires
to become Christian is supertiuous; if
a man desires let him take Christ with
the Gospel, .'Now is the accepted time.
Then to accept Christ is something that can
be done now. Thus the inquirer forgets to
concern himself with complex mental and
emotional states and recognizing the finished
work on the divine side, at once puts to him
self the crucial question, ''Shall now accept
and confess Christ, or shall | not" Too
great emphasis cannot be laid upon this |
return to the simple, direct method of
Scripture 1t shows its utility in practice,
Young and old alike recognize the true issue,
and act ntelligently. 1t has done more than
all discourse to illustrate the possibility and
duty of an immediate response to the demand
of the Gospel.
In another way, also, has DIR. Rentecost
left an abiding impression upon the town
His fresh and vital use of the Scriptures has |
awakened deep and intelligent interest in
Bible study 1t is the testimony of all who
have heard him that he knows how to 'open
up the Scriptures" One is Immediately |
struck with the difference between his use of
the Word, and that common among the
clergy Despite the recent progress in
biblical theology, and the praiseworthy criti-
cal spirit shown in the study of the Bible.
there has been little gain in the homiletlc use
of the Scripture itself Men have outgrown
the od-time indscriminate employment
of proof-texts in sermons, but no
method has replaced it in the American
pulpit. Dr. Pentecost has evidently dis
and interestingly in public discourse. The
apparent secret of his success lies. in his firm
grasp, not merely upon Scripture thought,
but also upon its form as found in the English |
Bible. He has seen that there can be no
effective homletic and rhetorical use of
Scripture excepting only for those who are
familiar with it in the mother-tongue. His
success shows how the critical study of the
original texts, and the wealth of exact thought
opened to us through recent Biblical Theology,
might become unspeakably helpful III pulpit
discourse, if only students made pains
taking endeavor to connect them in fresh
and living way with the verbal forms of the
English Bible, through which they must he
apprehended by English-speaking audiences.
With DR.. Pentecost the Scripture quotations
are often the aptest and most effective parts
of the discourse. He paves the way for them
both in his thought and in its expression,
until they are suddenly driven home with
surprising force. At once you recognize that
the Word is indeed living and powerful as a
two-edged sword.
On October 25th Christian Conference
was held in the Main Street Congregational
Church, Amesbury. to discuss Method and
Fellow ship in Evangelistic Work" All the
churches of neighboring cities and towns
were invited. DIR. Pentecost presided and
opened the discussions. The interest of the |
audience conferred on his views and sugges-
tons There was much cordial approval of
his advice regarding method, and also gen
eral and hearty assent to his discussion of
False and True Views Regarding Conviction
of Sin, Conversion and Regeneration.
Earnest questioning followed the discussion of |
every topic. 4 deep interest was evident in |
the problems of evangeli1ation, and an eager |
ness for more light upon them. 1t was a most
satisfactory conference, and will make more |
hearty and intelligent the future efforts in
behalf of the unsaved.
The service which closed DIR. Pentecosts
labors was held November eth. His parting |
words of admonition and advice to the young |
Christians were exceedingly helpful After
him the pastors spoke, each testifying to the |
blessed work that had been done. 1t is safe |
to say that the prayers and thought of many
in Amesbury will follow Dr. Pentecost in the |
days to come, and that the helpful words
which fall from his pen will ever find here
eager readers.